Amy Tan published her newest book, "The Valley of Amazement," on Nov. 5. Her book tour for the novel is from Nov. 5 to March 7. (Courtesy photo)

LOS ANGELES >> Amy Tan, author of “The Joy Luck Club,” will speak about her new book at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“The Valley Of Amazement” is Tan’s first novel in eight years. She will sign copies of it at UCLA’s Little Theater.

Tan’s signature themes have survived the eight years: the yin and yang of East and West, complicated mother-daughter relationships and the fate of able women who live in a patriarchal world.

But she also includes something she has never had in any of her writing: sex.

“People always assume you are writing from your own life (when you write about fornication),” Tan said to Publishers Weekly. “You feel as though you’ve invited people into your bedroom.”

The coitus in “The Valley of Amazement,” however, is unromantic because the focus is on courtesan life. The story opens in 1905.

American-born Lucia Minturn, known as Lulu Mimi, runs a courtesan or high-class prostitution house in Shanghai. When the city becomes unsafe for foreigners, Lulu secures a ticket to San Francisco for herself and her half-Chinese daughter, Violet.

Lulu is tricked into leaving Violet in Shanghai. Violet is abducted and forced into becoming a courtesan. Violet thinks her mother abandoned and betrayed her, and for 14 years, Lulu thinks Violet is dead.

The story follows Violet as she traverses through a tumultuous China, ends up in a remote Chinese village and finds a version of love. She gives birth to daughter, Flora, who will bring reconciliation between the different generations.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at 405 Hilgard Ave. in Los Angeles. The $35 ticket, which includes a copy of “The Valley of Amazement,” can be purchased online at Vroman’s Bookstore.

Book signing is limited to each guest’s copy of Tan’s new book and one additional title.

This story has been updated from an earlier version to correct the location of the book signing. The book signing will take place at UCLA’s Little Theater.